Head mountable display system

ABSTRACT

A head mountable display system is disclosed. The display system includes a lens with a reflective region and a transparent region. The lens is configured to be positioned in front of the user&#39;s eye or eyes and mounted to the user&#39;s head through a strap, frame, helmet or any other suitable means. The display system further includes a micro-image projector unit for transmitting and projecting an image directly onto the reflective region the lens. The micro-image projector unit preferably includes an LCD for generating the image and projecting the images onto the reflective region of the lens. In further embodiments of the invention, the micro-image projector unit includes a processor unit for receiving and/or transmitting dynamic wireless media data.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to a display systems. More specifically, thisinvention relates a head mounded display systems for providinghands-free visual data.

BACKGROUND

There are a number of situation where it is important for a person toreceive visual information or data, such as time, media information(weather, news, advertisement etc) and/or geographical information whileperforming a task, such a driving, riding a bicycle, riding a motorcycleor performing athletics. In such cases, it is preferable that the personcan view such information or data information with manual distractionwhile performing the task.

A number of display devices have been developed to provide visualinformation or data, such as described above. For example, there arewrist-mounted watches or stopwatch that display time, distance traveled,pulse rates and/or geographical data. There are also in-dash or dash-topmounted global position systems that display geographical informationand directions. All of these devices required that the usersignificantly change his or her line-of sight to view the displayedinformation or data.

To address these aforementioned shortcomings, head mounted displaysystems have been developed that provide visual data or informationclose to the user's line-of-sight. However, a number of these displaysystems also impede the user's ability to see clearly or to see what isdirectly in front of the user's line-of-sight.

What is needed is a display system for and method of providing visualinformation or data that minimizes the need for the user to alter his orher line-of-sight and which minimally obstructs the user's normal fieldof view.

SUMMARY

The present invention is directed to a display system. The displaysystem includes means for mounting one or more lenses (hereafter lens)in front of a user's eye or eyes. The means for mounting the lens infront of the user's eye or eyes is a frame structure or supportstructure. The frame structure or support structure is fashioned as apair of goggles, a pair eye glasses, a helmet or any other suitable headgear that includes a strap, arms, a shell or other suitable structurefor securing to the user's head with the lens positioned in front of theuser's eye or eyes, such as describe below.

The lens includes a reflective region and a transparent region. Theframe structure or support structure holds the lens, such that the usercan visually see both the reflective region and the transparent regionsimultaneously. Preferably, the transparent region of the lens is inview or in a “line-of-sight” when the user's gaze is straight forwardand/or downward and the reflective region of the lens is in view or inthe “line-of-sight” when the user's gaze is elevated or upward.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the display systemincludes a micro-image projector unit for transmitting and projecting animage directly onto the reflective region of the lens. The micro-imageprojector unit includes an LCD for generating the image and projectingthe images onto the reflective region of the lens.

In further embodiments of the invention, the micro-image projector unitincludes a processor unit. The processor unit includes, for example,microprocessor and a radio receiver for receiving dynamic wireless mediadata from a transmitting device. The transmitting device is another headmountable display system, such a described above, a computer, a cellularphone, a global position device, any other suitable wireless device orcombination of devices. Alternatively, the micro-image projector unitcommunicates with a transmitting device via a cable that electricalcouples the micro-image projector unit to the transmitting devicethrough any suitable number of electrical connectors or plugs. Again,the transmitting device is another head mountable display system, acomputer, a cellular phone, a global position device, any other suitablewireless device or combination of devices.

In operation the micro-processor generates display signals that aretransmitted to the reflective region of the lens by the LCD unit.Alternatively, the radio receiver receives dynamic wireless media datafrom a transmitting device, the dynamic wireless media data is thenprocessed by the micro-processor, which generates display signals thatare transmitted to the reflective region of the lens by the LCD unit.

In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the displaysystem includes an attachment means for detachably coupling themicro-image projector unit to the frame structure or support structure.The micro-image projector unit, in accordance with these embodiments,includes one or more optical elements, including but not limited to oneor more mirrors and/or one or more lenses. For example, the micro-imageprojector unit includes a concave mirror for reflecting the images fromthe LCD unit onto the reflective region of the lens. In accordance withstill further embodiments of the invention, the display system includesmeans for adjusting and positioning the image projected onto thereflective region of the lens. The means for adjusting and positioningthe image projected onto the reflective region of the lens is a swivelstructure, a hinge structure, a living hinge structure, a bendablestructure or any there suitable structure that can be moved and which iscoupled to the LCD dismay unit, the one or more optical elements, theframe structure or support structure or any combination thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1A shows a schematic representation of a head mountable displaysystem with a micro-image projector unit, in accordance with theembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 1B shows a schematic representation processor unit used to processdynamic media data received by the micro-image projector unit, inaccordance with the embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 1C-D show optical configurations for projecting and image directlyonto a reflective region of a lens, in accordance with the embodimentsof the invention.

FIGS. 2A-B illustrates head mountable display systems, in accordancewith the embodiments of the present invention.

FIGS. 3A-B illustrate view of a head mountable display system, inaccordance with further embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 4 shows a helmet with a display system, in accordance with theembodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 5 shows a swimmer wearing a pair of goggles equipped with a displaysystem, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention.

FIG. 6 is a block-flow diagram outlining the steps for displaying animage, data or information, in accordance with the method of the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1A shows a display system 100 that includes means for mounting oneor more lenses 109 (hereafter lens) in front of a user's eye or eyes(not shown). The means for mounting the lens in front of the user's eyeor eyes is a frame structure or support structure 105. The framestructure or support structure 105 is fashioned as a pair of goggles, apair eye glasses, a helmet or any other suitable head gear that includesa strap, arms, shell or other suitable structure for securing to thelens 109 to a user's head with the lens 109 positioned in front of theuser's eye or eyes.

The lens includes a reflective region 103′ and a transparent region 103.The frame structure or support structure 105 holds the lens, such thatthe user can visually see both the reflective region 103′ and thetransparent region 103 simultaneously. Preferably, the transparentregion 103 of the lens 109 is in view or in the line-of-sight when theuser's gaze is straight forward and/or downward and the reflectiveregion 103′ of the lens 109 is in view or in the line-of-sight when theuser's gaze is elevated or upward.

In accordance with the embodiments of the invention, the display system100 includes a micro-image projector unit 113 for transmitting andprojecting an image, as represented by the arrow 111, directly onto thereflective region 103′ of the lens 109. The micro-image projector unit113 includes an LCD 107 for generating the image and projecting theimages onto the reflective region 103′ of the lens 109.

Now referring to FIGS. 1A and 1B, in further embodiments of theinvention the micro-image projector unit 113 includes a processor unit101. Here an through the specification the same reference numbers areused to label the same or similar elements. The processor unit 101includes, for example, microprocessor 125 and a radio receiver 127 forreceiving dynamic wireless media data from a remote transmitting device(not shown). The microprocessor 125 and a radio receiver 127 couple tothe LCD 107 through any suitable electrical connector 121. It will beclear for the description above and below that the display system 100 inaddition to the radio receiver 127, can include a radio transmitter fortransmitting dynamic wireless media data from the display system 100 toone or more suitable remote receiving device. Suitable remote receivingdevices include, but are not limited to, other head mountable displaysystems, such as the one described above, computers, cellular phones,global position devices, any other wireless device and/or combinationsof devices.

Alternatively, the micro-image projector unit 113 communicates with atransmitting device 115 via a cable 114 that electrical couples themicro-image projector unit 113 through any suitable number of electricalconnectors or plugs 121′ and 117. Again, the transmitting device isanother head mountable display system, a computer, a cellular phone, aglobal position device, or a combination of devices.

In operation the processor unit 101 generates display signals that aretransmitted to the reflective region 103′ of the lens 109 by the LCDunit 111. Alternatively, the radio receiver 127 receives the dynamicwireless media data from a transmitting device, the dynamic wirelessmedia data is then processed by the micro-processor 125, which generatesdisplay signals that are transmitted to the reflective region 103′ ofthe lens 109 by the LCD unit 111.

In accordance with further embodiments of the invention, the displaysystem 100 further includes an adjustable attachment means (not shown)for detachably coupling the micro-image projector unit 113 to the framestructure or support structure 105.

Referring now to FIG. 1C, in accordance with an embodiment of theinvention a display system, such as the display system 100 (FIG. 1A)includes an optical configuration 125 that includes a curved lens 109′.The curved lens 109′ includes a reflective region 153′ and a transparentregion 153. The display system also includes an LCD 107 for projectingan image onto the reflective region 153′ of the lens 109′. The displaysystem also includes a support structure 105 (FIG. 1A) and/or otherstructures and/or adjustment features coupled to the support structure105 and/or LCD 107, such the distances D1, D2 and D3 can be adjusted todirect the projected image to an eye 180 of a user, as indicated by thearrows 155 and 155′. The display system also preferably includes aprocessor unit 101 (FIGS. 1A-B) for generating display signals, such asdescribed previously.

Referring now to FIG. 1D, in accordance with and alternative embodimentof the invention a display system, such as the display system 100 (FIG.1A) includes an optical configuration 150 that includes a bent lens109″. The bent lens 109″ includes a reflective region 163′ and atransparent region 163. The display system also includes an LCD 107 forprojecting an image onto a mirror 167. The mirror 167 is curved andpositioned or positionable to reflect the image projected by the LCD 107onto the reflective region 163′ of the lens 109″. The display systemalso includes a support structure 105 (FIG. 1A) and/or other structuresand/or adjustment features coupled to the support structure 105, themirror 167, the LCD 107 or combination thereof, such as to transmit theprojected image to an eye 180 of a user, as indicated by the arrows 165,165′ and 165″. The display system also preferably includes a processorunit 101 (FIGS. 1A-B) for generating display signals, such as describedpreviously.

Referring now to FIG. 2A, a display system 200 includes a frame 205 frommounting the display system 200 to a user's head. The display system 200also includes a lens 209 with a reflective region 203′ and a transparentregion 203. The display system 200 also includes a micro-image projectorunit 213. The micro-image projector unit 213 includes an LCD 207 and anynumber of optical elements and mounting features for transmitting andprojecting an image to the reflective region 203′ of the lens 209. Themicro-image projector unit 213 also preferably includes a microprocessor125 and a radio receiver 127. The microprocessor 125 and the radioreceiver 127 are preferably built into the frame structure 205 and areconfigured for generating image signals either directly and/or fromdynamic media data received by the radio receiver 127, such as describedpreviously. The image data is then used to generate images from the LCDwhich are projected onto the reflection region 203′ of the lens 209.

Still referring to FIG. 2A, the system 200 further includes a remotedevice 115 that couples to micro-image projector 213 via a cable 114 andan electrical connector or plug 221. The remote device 115 is preferablycomputer, a cellular phone, or a global position device.

Referring now to FIG. 2B, a display system 250 includes a pair ofgoggles 255 with a strap 257 from mounting the display system 250 to auser's head. The display system 250 also includes a lens 259 with areflective region 253′ and a transparent region 253. The display system250 also includes a micro-image projector unit 213′. The micro-imageprojector unit 213′ includes an LCD 207, a microprocessor 125, a radioreceiver 127 and any number of optical elements that are preferablybuilt into the pair of goggles 255. The micro-image projector unit 213′is configured for generating images which are projected onto thereflective region 253′ of the lens 259 via the LCD 107, such as describepreviously. The system 250 in further embodiments of the inventionincludes a remote device 115 (FIGS. 1A and 2A) that couples tomicro-image projector 213′ through any suitable electrical or wirelessconnection, such as described above.

Referring to FIGS. 3A-B, a display system 300 in further embodiments ofthe invention include a pair of glasses with a lens frame 311 forsupporting a lens 309. The lens 309 has a reflective region 303′ and atransparent region 303. The display system has support arms 305 and 305′coupled to the lens frame 311 for support the display system 300 on auser's head. The display system 300 also includes a micro-imageprojector unit 313 with an LCD 107 that is configured for generatingimages which are projected onto a reflective region 303′ of the lens309, such as describe previously. The micro-image projector unit 313 ispreferably configured to detachably couple to a portion of the lensframe 311, the support arms 305 and 305′ or a combination thereof. Themicro-image projector unit 313 is configured to detachably couple to theportion of the lens frame 311, the support arms 305 and 305′, or thecombination thereof through, for example, clips, straps, screws,swivels, hinges or any other suitable attachment feature. Where themicro-image projector unit 313 is configured to directly project animage on the reflective portion 303′ of the lens 309 via the LCD 107(such as described with reference to the optical configuration 125 shownin FIG. 1C) the image is projected from the LCD in a reverse format sothat the image that viewable image on the on the reflective portion 303′of the lens 309 has the proper orientation.

Referring now to FIG. 4, in yet further embodiments for the invention, adisplay system 400 includes helmet 401 with a lens or shield 409. Thelens or shield 409 has a reflective region 403″ and a transparent region4033. The display system 400 also includes a micro-image projector unit413 that attaches to the helmet 401 or is integrated into the helmet401. The a micro-image projector unit 413 includes an LCD and any otherelectrical components, such as a micro-processor and radio receiver,which are configured to projected images onto the reflective portion403′ of the lens 409, such as described in detail above.

Referring now to FIG. 5, where the display system 250 includes pair ofgoggles 250 (FIG. 2B) micro-image projector unit 213′ is preferablymolded into the goggles 255 and are water proof, such that a swimmer canmount the display system 250 to his or her head 501 and operate thedisplay system 250 in an aquatic environment, such as illustrated inFIG. 5.

FIG. 6 shows a block-flow diagram outlining the step for displaying animage, data or information, in accordance with the method of the presentinvention. In the step 601, images are generated using an LCD display.The images are then projected onto an inner surface of a lens, with thelens mounted in front of a user's eye. As described in detail above,preferably the images are projected onto a reflective or partiallyreflective portion of a lens and are viewable without the user having tosignificantly alter his or her forward line-of-sight. The reflective orpartially reflective portion of a lens is formed by any suitable methodincluding coating the lens with a mirror coating, wherein thetransparency through reflective or partially reflective portion of alens depends on the viewing angle through the lens.

The present invention has been described in terms of specificembodiments incorporating details to facilitate the understanding ofprinciples of construction and operation of the invention. Suchreference herein to specific embodiments and details thereof is notintended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will beapparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made inthe embodiment chosen for illustration without departing from the spiritand scope of the invention.

1. A display system comprising: a) a lens with lower transparent regionand an upper reflective region; b) means for mounting the lens in frontof a user's eye, such when a gaze of the user is at a forward position,the transparent region of the lens is in view and when the gaze of theuser is at an elevated position, the reflection region is in view; andc) an micro-image projector unit for transmitting and projecting animage directly onto the reflective region of the lens.
 2. The displaysystem of claim 1, wherein the micro-image projector unit includes anLCD.
 3. The display system of claim 1, wherein micro-image projectorunit further includes a microprocessor.
 4. The display system of claim1, wherein the micro-image projector unit further includes a radioreceiver for receiving wireless media data.
 5. The display system ofclaim 1, wherein means for mounting the lens in front of a user's eyeincludes a frame.
 6. The display system of claim 5, further comprisingan attachment means for detachably coupling the micro-image projectorunit to the frame.
 7. The display system of claim 5, wherein the meansfor mounting the lens in front of a user's eye further includes a strapcouple to the frame.
 8. The display system of claim 1, display system isa pair of goggles, eye glasses or a helmet.
 9. The display system ofclaim 1, further comprises means for coupling the micro-image projectorunit to a computer unit.
 10. The display system of claim 1, wherein themeans for coupling the micro-image projector unit to the computer unitincludes a cable and a plug.
 11. The display system of claim 2, themicro-image projector unit further includes one or more opticalelements.
 12. The display system of claim 11, wherein the one or moreoptical elements includes a concave mirror for reflecting the imagesfrom the LCD onto the reflective region of the lens.
 13. The displaysystem of claim 1, wherein micro-projector unit includes means foradjusting a positioning the image projected onto the reflective regionof the lens.
 14. A system comprising: a) a head mountable structure withone or more lenses for view of a user, wherein the one or more lensesincludes a reflection region and a transparent region; and b) anmicro-image projector unit integral with the head mountable structure,wherein the micro-image projector is configured to transmit and projectdynamic media data directly onto the reflective region of the one ormore lenses.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein head mountablestructure is a pair of goggles, eye glasses or a helmet
 16. The systemof claim 14, wherein the micro-image projector unit includes: a) an alight emitting diode; and b) processor unit for processing the dynamicmedia data from a transmitting device.
 17. The system of claim 16,wherein the processing unit includes a radio receiver for receiving thedynamic media data from the transmitting device.
 18. The system of claim15, the micro-image projector further comprise one or more opticalelements
 19. A system comprising: a) a head mountable displaycomprising; i) a lens with a reflection region and a transparent regionwhich are both viewable while mounted on a user's head; and ii) amicro-image projector unit for projecting dynamic media data directlyonto the reflective region of the lens, the micro-image projector unitcomprising LCD and a processor unit with a radio receiver for receivingand processing the dynamic media data; and b) a radio transmitter unitfor remotely transmitting the dynamic media data to the a processorunit.